The Nigerian military has dealt a significant blow to terrorist groups across the country, eliminating 147 terrorists, apprehending 381 suspects, and rescuing 113 kidnapped hostages in the past week. Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the military's operations in Abuja.
Buba noted that troops recovered a substantial cache of arms and ammunition, including 74 assorted weapons and 3,498 rounds of ammunition. The recovered items comprise one dushka, one RPG bomb, one RPG charger, 42 AK47 rifles, 10 fabricated rifles, and 13 Dane guns. Additionally, troops recovered one FN rifle, one revolver pistol, one locally made pistol, 27 magazines, one AK47 dummy rifle, one AK47 top cover, and one baofeng radio.
In the North East, Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 81 terrorists, arrested 52 suspects, and rescued 34 kidnapped hostages. A total of 94 terrorists, comprising 19 adult males, 26 adult females, and 49 children, surrendered to troops within the theatre of operations. In the North Central, troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke neutralised 17 insurgents, arrested 101 violent extremists, and rescued 23 kidnapped hostages within the week.
In the North West, troops of Operations Hadarin Daji and Whirl Punch neutralised 39 terrorists, apprehended 192 suspects, and rescued 50 kidnapped hostages, as well as recovered a cache of arms. In the South-South, Operation Delta Safe recovered 920,800 litres of stolen crude oil, 88,760 litres of illegally refined AGO, and 7,500 litres of PMS. Troops discovered and destroyed 15 dugout pits, 17 boats, 62 drums, one receiver, and 27 storage tanks, as well as 84 illegal refining sites.
In the South East, Operation UDO KA neutralised nine terrorists, arrested eight violent extremists, and rescued six kidnapped hostages, as well as recovered weapons. In the South West, Operation AWATSE apprehended five violent extremists and recovered four AK47 rifles, one locally fabricated pistol, and 110 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, amongst others.
Buba emphasized that the recently rejigged war against crude oil theft operations in the Niger Delta has begun to yield a noticeable increase in the nation's crude oil production. "Though we are not yet where we want to be in terms of daily crude oil production, troops will sustain the renewed vigour and momentum till the crude oil production target is achieved and exceeded."
He added, "Overall, we are constantly assessing our actions, adjusting and amending our operations to annihilate terrorists across. Accordingly, troops are working decisively to kill the terrorists, stop the insecurity, and ensure the safety of citizens across the country. Citizens are urged to note that winning the war depends not only on the military, weapons, and finances."